Packers’ Ted Thompson says he has autonomic disorder

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Packers senior football operations adviser and former general manager Ted Thompson says he has been diagnosed with an autonomic disorder that affects his body’s nerves.

Thompson released a statement through the club on Wednesday detailing that his health led him to step down as GM after the 2017 season. He says test results and the opinions of medical specialists do not make him fit the profile of someone who has the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy known as CTE.

Autonomic disorders affect the nerves that control bodily functions and can manifest as dizziness, digestive disorders, fatigue and blood pressure issues.

The 66-year-old played 146 games over 10 seasons as a linebacker with the Houston Oilers from 1975-1984. He worked in Green Bay’s front office from 1992-99 and from 2005 on, with a stint in between as Seattle’s vice president of football operations.

Thompson was part of two Packers Super Bowl titles and inducted into the franchise’s hall of fame last weekend.